Dan Mays, Music Director & YSO Conductor

Born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, Mr. Mays began his music career at the age of ten in his school orchestra program, where he chose the cello because of its beautiful, rich sound. After receiving bachelors degrees in Music Education and Cello Performance, Mr. Mays received his Master of Music in Cello from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA.​Mr. Mays has performed with numerous orchestras, including the Fort Smith Symphony, SONA, Austin Symphony, Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Round Top Festival, and Sommerset Festival orchestras. He has performed chamber music extensively throughout his career as well as solo recitals. Master classes include Nathaniel Rosen, Donald McInnes, and Phyllis Young. During the course of his education, Mr. Mays studied with Dr. Robert Stewart (CMSU), Anne Martindale-Williams (Duquesne), Jennifer Langham (Duquesne), Nina Gordon (UMKC), and Phyllis Young (UT Austin).As a strings teacher, Mr. Mays first developed an extensive orchestra program for Liberty public schools in Liberty, Missouri. He then went on to direct the Round Rock High School Orchestra in Round Rock, Texas, where he earned top ratings at Texas festivals. After moving to Colorado Springs, Colorado, he directed the Coronado High School Orchestra and earned the designation of Master Teacher. Under his direction, the program at Coronado became one of the finest in the state. In addition, Mr. Mays has taught orchestras in Bettendorf, Iowa and Fort Smith, Arkansas. He is currently the director of orchestras at Bentonville West High School and Lincoln Junior High School. His orchestras have consistently received the highest ratings in local and national festivals. Mr. Mays has been a clinician for numerous honor orchestras in Missouri, Texas, Colorado, and Arkansas.Mr. Mays currently resides in Bentonville, Arkansas and enjoys spending time and playing chamber music with his wife, Krista, and their three kids.